Synergistic treatment of cancer using immunomers in conjunction with therapeutic agents

Abstract

The invention relates to the therapeutic use of immunostimulatory oligonucleotides and/or immunomers in combination with chemotherapeutic agents to provide a synergistic therapeutic effect.

1. A method for treating cancer comprising administering to a patient an immunomer in combination with a monoclonal antibody selected from Panorex® (edrecolomab), Rituxan® (rituximab), Mylotarg® (gemtuzumab ozogamicin), Campath® (alemtuzumab), Zevalin® (ibritumomab tiuxetan), Bexxar® (tositumomab), Erbitux® (cetuximab), Avastin® (bevacizumab or Herceptin® (trastuzumab), wherein the immunomer comprises the structure 5′-TCGTTGX-Y-XGTTGCT-5′ wherein X is a C3 linker and Y is a glycerol linker or comprises the structure (SEQ ID NO 18): 
       
         
           
                 
               
                     
                 
                   
                     
                       
                       
                           
                           
                       
                     
                   
                 
                     
                 
                   
                     
                       
                       
                           
                           
                       
                     
                   
                 
                     
                 
                   
                     
                       
                       
                           
                           
                       
                     
                   
                 
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
               
               
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
       and wherein the anti-tumor effects of the monoclonal antibody are enhanced when administered in combination with the immunomer. 
     
     
       2. A pharmaceutical formulation comprising an immunomer, wherein the immunomer comprises the structure 5 ′-TCGTTGX-Y-XGTTGCT-5′ wherein X is a C3 linker and Y is a glycerol linker or comprises the structure (SEQ ID NO 18): 
       
         
           
                 
               
                     
                 
                   
                     
                       
                       
                           
                           
                       
                     
                   
                 
                     
                 
                   
                     
                       
                       
                           
                           
                       
                     
                   
                 
                     
                 
                   
                     
                       
                       
                           
                           
                       
                     
                   
                 
                     
                 
             
                
               
               
                
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
       a monoclonal antibody selected from Panorex® (edrecolomab), Rituxan® (rituximab), Mylotarg® (gemtuzumab ozogamicin), Campath® (alemtuzumab), Zevalin® (ibritumomab tiuxetan), Bexxar® (tositumomab), Erbitux® (cetuximab), Avastin® bevacizumab or Herceptin® (trastuzumab) and a physiologically acceptable carrier.